The Republic of Countdown is a mammoth, cultured nation, notable for its infamous sell-swords, avant-garde cinema, and compulsory military service. The devout population of 6.755 billion Countdownians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Education, and Defense. The average income tax rate is 37.5%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Countdownian economy, worth 332 trillion guilders a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Woodchip Exports, and Beef-Based Agriculture. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 49,216 guilders, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.8 times as much as the poorest.

Careless Maxémon Trainers have been the cause of numerous search and rescue operations, hostage-takers offer loyalty scheme points for prompt payment, the "Underwear of Women in Power" issue of The Countdown City Times is sold out, and police regularly arrest families playing Monopoly. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Countdown's national animal is the crocodile, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to heavy metals seepage into national waterways.

Countdown is ranked 114,104^th in the world and 4,682^nd in Lazarus for Largest Populations, with 6.75 billion capita.